Corn-harvester.



No. 706,|42.- Patented Aug. 5, I902.

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No. 706,|42. Patented Aug. 5, 1902,

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CORN HARVESTER.

(Application filed. July 5, 1901.)

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Patented Aug. 5, I902.

No. 706,l42.

J. E. WOOD.

CORN HABVESTEB.

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No. 706,142. Patented Aug. 5, I902. J. E. WOOD.

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No. 706,142. Patented Aug. 5, I902.

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CORN HARVESTER.

(Application filed July 5, 1901.)

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Patented Aug. 5, I902.

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J. E. W000. CORN HARVESTER.

(Application filed July 5, 1901.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES E. WOOD, OF HARVARD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO EDWIN C. HARMON,

TRUSTEE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CORN-HARVESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming art of Letters Patent No. 706,142, dated August 5,1902. Application filed July 5, 1901- Serial No. 67,216- (NomodelJ whichare designed to cut down the corn in the field, bind the same intobundles, and deliver the bundles at suitable intervals; and one of itsobjects is to provide means by which any down corn-that is to say, cornwhich has fallen down and lies upon the ground, and particularly cornwhich lies parallel or nearly parallel to the line of draft of themachine maybe lifted from the ground and delivered to the cutter in avertical position.

Another object of my invention is to provide means by which the cornwhen out may be carried with the stalks in an approxi- 'mately verticalposition upward and delivered thence horizontally to the binder and insuch a way that the carrying mechanism may not interfere with or strikethe ears of corn upon the stalks.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improvedframework for such corn-harvesters, and particularly to provide abalanced swinging frame, which carries the knife, the corn-elevatingmechanism, and

other portions of the driving mechanism and which may be swung about itspivotal point to regulate the height of the knife, and also a frontframe, which is adjustably mounted on the swinging frame.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved weederwhich will separate the weeds from the corn in the process of harvestingthe same. I

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improveddrop-dump bundle-carrier adapted to receive the corn from the binder andto drop the gathered bundles at suitable intervals.

Another object of my invention is to improve corn-harvesters in sundrydetails, hereinafter pointed out.

I accomplish these results as hereinafter set forth and as illustratedin the drawings.

That which I regard as new will be set forth in the claims. Y

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a top or planView. Fig. 3 is a rear View of the machine with the bundlecarrier andbinder portion of the machine removed. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view,-beinga Vertical section on line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail,being a sectional plan on line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an enlargeddetail, being a vertical section on line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is anenlarged detail, being a cross-section on line 7 7 of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 isan enlarged detail of the mechanism by which the heaters or reels may beadjusted in height, partlyin vertical section. Fig. 9 is an enlargeddetail, being a side view of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail,being a plan view of the rear portion of the ma- 7o chine, showing thebinder-support and bundle-carrier. Fig. 11 is a detail, being anisometric view of the frameworkof the machine. Fig. 12 is an enlargeddetail, being a front view of the front end of the tilting or swingingframe with portions of the front frame attached. Fig. 13 is an enlargeddetail, being a plan view of the front end of the machine containing thelifter mechanism. Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail, being a side elevationof the same parts shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is an enlarged detail, beinga cross-section of the bundle-carrier with the segments open. Fig. 16 isan enlarged detail, being a crosssection of a portion of thebundle-carrier frame. Figs. 17 and 18 are enlarged details of the liftermechanism for lifting down corn, showing the movements of the lifter.Fig. 19 is anenlarged detail showing one of the fingers on thefeed-chain. Fig. 20 is an en- 0 larged detail, being a side view of oneof the fingers of the feed-chain. 'Fig. 21 is an enlarged detail, beinga view of the caster-wheel supporting the rear frame, showingthe manherin which it is mounted therein; and Fig. 5 21 is an enlarged detail ofthe weeders.

Referring to the drawings, 22 indicates the main axle of the machine, atone end of which is journaled a wheel 23 and at the other end amaster-wheel 24. The axle 2-2 aifords a support for the binder andbundle frame and for the tilting frame, as hereinafter described.

The framework of the machine consists of th ree partsa rear or binderand bundle-supporting frame, a central tilting frame, and an adjustablefront frame.

indicates the rear or binder and bundlesupporting frame, consisting oflongitudinal bars 26 and cross-bars 27, which are journaled upon theaxle 22 by means of suitable bearings 28.

29 indicates the central or tilting frame, which is journaled upon andsupported by the axle 22 by means of suitable bearings 30 at each sideof the central or tilting frame 29.

31 indicates spiral springs which are secured at one end to a suitableportion of the central tilting frame 29 and at the other end to asuitable portion of the rear frame 26 and operate to overcome theforward weight of the frame 29 and to keep it in balance.

32 indicates a shaft which is journaled in suitable supports on the rearframe 25 and carries two drums 33, keyed or otherwise secured'thereto.One end of the shaft 32 is provided with a'gear-wheel 34, which mesheswith a worm-gear 35, that is carried at the lower end of an uprightshaft 36, which is journaled in the rear frame 25 andprovided with acrank 37 at its upper end.

38 indicates Wire ropes or cords, one endof which is wound around thedrums 33 and the other end secured toa suitable portion of the centralor tilting frame 29 back of the axle 22, which forms the pivotal pointthereof. By the turning of the crank 87 the wormgear 35 operates torotate the shaft 32, and by the winding or unwinding of the cords 38 ythe central or tilting frame 29 is tilted about the axle 22, so as toraise or lower the front end thereof.

39 indicates a sprocket-wheel which is secured to and rotates with themaster-wheel 24.

40 indicates a shaft which is jo'Jrnaled in suitable bearings upon therearframe 25 and is provided at its outer end with a sprocketwheel 41,which engages by a suitable clutch mechanism 42 with the shaft 40.

43 indicates a sprocket-chain which passes around the sprocket wheel 39and the sprocket-wheel 41, so that when the clutch mechanism is engagedthe shaft 40 is rotated with the rotation of the master-wheel 24 whenthe machine is drawn forward. The shaft 40 carries near its middleportion a sprocket- .Wheel 43, which is keyed or otherwise securedthereto, and near its outer end a sprocketwheel 44 and a bevel-gear 45,keyed or otherwise secured thereto. The function of the bevel-gear 45 isto drive the binding mechanism, which is located as hereinafter statedand which, being of any well-known form and construction, is notillustrated or described, for reasons hereinafter more fully set forth.

46 47 48 indicate sprocket-wheels which are journaled upon the main axle22 and are all fastened upon the same hub or otherwise rigidly securedtogether.

49 indicates a sprocket-chain which passes around the sprocket-wheels 43and 46, whereby when the shaft 40 is rotated, as above described, thesprocket-wheels 46 47 48 are rotated with it, it being understood, ofcourse, that the axle 22, upon which the parts hereinbefore describedare journaled, does not rotate.

50 indicates a sprocket-wheel which is keyed or otherwise secured to theouter end of a shaft 51, which is journaled in uprights 52 of theframework 29 and carries near its inner end a bevel-gear 53.

54indicates a sprocket-wheel which is keyed or otherwise secured to theouter end of a shaft 55, which is also journaled in suitable bearings inthe uprights 52 and carries at its inner end a bevel-gear 56.

57 indicates a sprocket-wheel which is keyed upon the outer end of ashaft 58, which is journaled in suitable hearings in one of the uprights52 and another upright 59 of the central or tilting frame 29 and carriesnear its other end a bevel-gear 60 and near the middle of the shaft 58 asprocket-wheel 61.

62 indicates a sprocket-chain which passes around the sprocket-wheels 48and 50 and engages with the sprocket-wheels 54 and 57, as is best shownin Fig. 1, so as to rotate the shafts 51, 55, and 56 with the rotationof the master-wheel 24.

63 indicates a cone which is journaled in suitable bearings in thecentral or tilting frame 29, and, as is best shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 6,is so mounted that its front end is somewhat lower than the rear end.The cone 63 carries upon its surface a spiral flange 64, preferably madeof sheet-steel.

65 indicates a bevel-gear which is keyed upon the rear end of a shaft66, upon which the cone 63 is carried and which meshes with thebevel-gear 60, so that when the shaft 58 is rotated, as above described,the cone 63 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in theseveral figures.

67 indicates a roller which is journaled in suitable bearings in thecentral or tilting frame 29 above and somewhat to one side of the middleline of the cone 63 and close to the periphery of the spiral flange 64.

68 indicates a bevel-gear which is carried upon the rear end of theroller 67 and meshes with the bevel-gear 56 upon the shaft 55, causingthe roller 67 to rotate in the direction shown by the arrow in theseveral figures when the shaft 55 is rotated, as above described.

69 indicates guide-boards which are mounted, facing each other, betweenthe uprights 52 and 59 above the cone 63 a sufficient distance apart topermit the passage of several stalks of corn vertically between them andto hold the same substantially upright in their passage up the cone, ashereinafter described. The tops of the guide-boards 69 are flaredoutward at 69, so as to permit the passage of the spreading tops ofthestalks of corn and the parts containing the ears between them, as isIIO best shown in Fig. 3, and they are provided with longitudinalopenings 70, extending from front to back to permit the revolution ofthe reels,hereinafter described. One of the guideboards 69 extends downclose to the top of the roller 67 and the other close to-the peripheryof the spiral flange 64, as is best shown in Fig. 3. i

71 indicates a shaft which is journaled in suitable hearings in supports72 in the central or tilting frame 29. The rear end of the shaft 71 isprovided with a bevel-gear 73, which is keyed or otherwise rigidlysecured thereon and meshes with the bevel-gear 53 on the shaft 51,whereby when said shaft 51 is rotated the shaft 71 is rotated with it.

74 indicates bevel-gears which are keyed or otherwise secured upon theshaft 71.

75 indicates shafts which are journaled in the central or tilting frame29, as is best shown in Fig. 4, and which carry at their lower endsbevel.- gears 76, which mesh with the bevel-gears 74, causing the shafts75 to rotate when the shaft 71 is rotated, as above described.

77 indicates reels which are keyed or otherwise secured upon the shaft75 and are rotated with it in the direction indicated by the arrows inFig. 2, their ends passing, as will be best seen in Figs. 2 and 3,through the openings and operating as beaters to carry up the upperportions of the stalks of corn, as hereinafter described. In order thatI may make the reels adjustable, I prefer to use the construction shownin Figs. 8 and 9 and indi cated upon one of the reels in Fig. 4.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, 78 indicates a sleeve which surrounds theshaft and carries at its lower end a collar 79. 80 indicates a leverprovided with a segmental rack 81, a lever 82, and dog 83,which engageswith the collar 79 on the sleeve 78, so as to raise and lower the sleeve78 by the motion of the handlever 80, which is locked in any desiredposition by means of the dog 83. The reel 77 is mounted upon a block84,which is feathered upon the shaft 75 and rests upon the top of thesleeve 78, which bears upon the same in a circular groove on the rimofthe block 84. The block 84 is provided with a circumferential groove 85.86 indicates spring-clips which are secured upon the sleeve 78 andengage with the circumferential groove on the block 84, permitting theblock to be raised and lowered by the raising and lowering of the sleeve78 and at the same time to rotate with the shaft 75. 87 indicates abutter, which is composed of an apron 88, of canvas or other suitablematerial, carrying cross-bars 89 upon its outer surface and carried uponrollers 90, 91, and 92, as is best shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The rollers91, 92, and 93 may be supported in any suitable manner from theframework of the machine. The roller 92 carries upon its outer end asprocketwheel 93. 94 indicates a sprocket-chain, which passes around thesprocket-wheel 93 and the sprocket-wheel 61 and the shaft 58,

which causes the butter to move in the direction indicated by the arrowsin Figs. 5 and 6 when the shaft 58 is rotated, as above described. w

95 (see Figs. 3 and 6) indicates a shaft which is journale'd in suitablebearings 96 in the central or tilting frame 29. The shaft 95 carries abevel-gear 97 at its forward end and a bevel-gear 98 at its rear end.

99 (see Fig. 3) indicates a shaft which is journaled in the upright 59and another upright 100 in the central or tilting frame 29.

101 indicates a sprocket-wheel, and 102 a bevel-gear keyed or otherwisesecured upon the shaft 99.

103 indicates a sprocket-chain which passes around the sprocket-wheels44 and 101, whereby when the shaft 40 is rotated the shaft 99 isrotated, rotating with it the shaft 95 through the medium of thebevel-gears 98 and 102.

104 (see Fig. 1) indicates a sprocket-wheel whichis mounted upon a shaft105. (See Figs. 4 and 5.)

106 indicates a sprocket-chain which passes around the sprocket wheel 47and the sprocket wheel 104, so as to rotate the shaft 105.

107 indicates a sprocket-wheel which is keyed upon the shaft and rotatestherewith.

108 indicates a shaft which is mounted in a bearing 109 upon a bracket110 on the forward part of the central or tilting frame 29.

111 indicates a balance or fly wheel which is keyed or otherwise securedupon one end of the shaft 108.

112 (see'Fig. 5) indicates a bevel-gear which is keyed or otherwisesecured to the other end of the shaft 108.

113 indicates one member of a clutch which I is keyed to or otherwisesecured upon th shaft 108.

114 indicates a sprocket-wheel whichis journaled upon the shaft 108 nearthe flywheel 111 and is provided with a clutch member 115, which isadapted to engage with the other clutch member 113 on the shaft'108.

whereby the shaft 108 is rotated from the driving wheel by means of theseveral sprocket-chains above described.

118 (see Fig. 6) indicates a short shaft journaled in suitable bearingsin the lower forward end of the central or tilting frame 29 and carryingupon its upper end a bevel-gear 119, which meshes with the bevel-gear112 on the shaft 108.

120 indicates a rotary knife which is mounted upon the shaft'118 androtates immediately above a plate 121, mounted in the framework 29 andhaving its front surface curved inward and backward toward the knife, asis best shown in Fig. 5.

The clutch members 113 115, as shown, are so constructed that when thesprocket-wheel 114 is rotated the clutch members will engage, rotatingthe shaft 118, the fly-wheel 111, and also the knife in the directionindicated by the arrows in Fig. 5; but, as is shown in said figure, incase the driving motion of the sprocket-chain 117 suddenly stops themomentum of the fly-wheel will continue to rotate the shaft 108, thesloping edges of the teeth on the clutch members passing one an otherand forcing the sprocket-wheel 114 inward against the action of thespring 116, thus preventing any sudden stoppage of the knife andassisting in the severing of the corn.

122 (see Fig. 12) indicates a bevel-gear (shown also in dotted lines inFig. 4) which is keyed upon the front end of the shaft 71, which, itshould be said, is so geared as to rotate at the same rate of speed asthe shaft 95.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 12, 123 indicates a short shaft which ismounted in suitable bearings between uprights 124 on the front portionof the central or tilting frame of the machine. 125 indicates abevel-gear which is keyed upon the shaft 123 and meshes with thebevel-gear 122. 126 indicates a sprocketwheel which is keyed upon theshaft 123. 127 indicates a shaft which is journaled in suitable bearingsat the top of the uprights 124 and is set therein upon a slight incline,as is best shown in Fig. 12. 128 indicates a sprocket-wheel which iskeyed upon the shaft 127. 129 indicates a sprocket-chain which passesaround sprocket-wheels 126 and 128, over an idler sprocket-wheel 130,which is revolubly mounted upon an axle 131, mounted between theuprights 124. 132 indicates a sprocket-wheel which is keyed to the innerend of the shaft 127, as is best shown in Fig. 12.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 12, 133 indicates a shaft which is journaledbetween uprights 124 upon the front portion of the machine, which aresimilar in all respects to the uprights 124, above referred to. 134indicates a bevel-gear which is keyed upon the axle 133 and meshes withthe bevel-gear 97 at the forward end of the shaft 95. 135 indicates ashaft which is journaled in suitable bearings in the upper portions ofthe uprights 124 carrying sprocket-wheels 136 and 137, whichcorrespond,respectively,with sprocketwheels 128 and 132. 138 indicates asprocketchain which passes around sprocket-wheel 136 and asprocket-Wheel 139, which is keyed upon the shaft 133.The-sprocket-chain 138 also passes over an idler-pulley 140, journaledupon an axle 141, which is mounted in the uprights 124.

The front frame 142 consists of two parts 142 and 142", which areexactly similar, but face each other in reverse positions, as is bestshown in Fig. .13. The lower portions of the uprights 124 and 124 of thecentral or tilting frame 29 are formed upon the arc of a circle, as isbest shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 11.. The front frame consists of curvedupright portions 143, forward projecting bars 144 145, and braces 146147. The curved portions 143 are bent upon the arc of a circle tocorrespond to the curvature of the uprights 124 124 and are journaled,so as to embrace the same, as is best shown in Fig..13, and so as tomove upward and downward thereon.

148 indicates a shaft which is journaled in suitable bearings'below thecentral or tilting frame 29 and carries upon its outer end a cogpinion149 and two drums 150 150.

151 indicates a lever which is pivoted upon the central or tilting frame29 and is provided at its lower end with a segmental rack 152, whichengages with the cog-pinion 149. The lever is locked in place by asegmental rack 153 and the ordinary hand-lever and dog, operating in thewell-knownway.

154 indicates a wire cord or rope which winds around the drum 150 andpasses over guiding-sheaves 155 156 and has both its ends secured to asuitable cross-bar on one portion of the front frame 142, whereby whenthe lever 151 is rocked the shaft 148 will be partially rotated, windingthe cord upon the drum 150 and raising or lowering the portion 142 ofthe front frame 142. A precisely similar cord 154 is wound around thedrum 150 passing over guide-sheaves 155 156, and is secured at both endsin the same manner to the portion 142 of the front frame 142.

157 indicates rollers which are mounted in brackets 158, carried by thecentral or tilting frame 29, and bear upon the forward surfaces of thecurved portions 143 of the front frame 142, so as to slidingly hold thesame between the said roller 157 and the curved portions 124 124 of thecentral or tilting frame 29.

As is best shown in Figs. 2 and 13, the two portions 142 142 have theirbars 145 most widely separated from one another at their front ends andgradually drawn toward each other at their inner ends, so as to gatherand guide the corn between them as the machine passes along. As is bestshown in Fig. 2, they are also provided with guide-boards 158 158*,which slope upward and toward each side away from each other, assistingin gathering and guiding the corn. Referring to Fig. 13, where it isbest shown, 159 159 indicate short shafts which are journaled insuitable bearings 160 160 on the parts 142 142 of the front frame 142.161 161 indicate sprocket-wheels which are keyed upon the shafts 159159. 162 162? indicate bevel-gears .which are keyed upon the other endof the shafts 159 159. 163 163 indicate shafts which gears 162 162.

chains which pass, respectively, around the sprocket-wheels 132 and 161and 137 and 161 and'which are somewhat closer together at the top thanthey are at the bottom, the sprocket-wheels 132 and 127 being somewhatinclined, as said above, and somewhat nearer together than thesprocket-wheels 161 and 161. The sprocket chains 166 166 carry teeth orfingers 167, which, with their uses and functions, are hereinafter morefully described. When the shafts 127 and 135 are rotated, as abovedescribed, the rotation is communicated, by means of the sprocketwheels132 137 and sprocket-chains 166 166, to the sprocket-wheels 161 161 andthence through interposed bevel-gears to the shafts 163 163.

Referring particularly to Figs. 17 and 18, where these devices are bestshown, 168 indicates a crank which is mounted upon the forward ends ofthe shafts 163 163. As these parts are precise duplicates of one anotherupon the two sides of the machine, with the exception that the shaft 163is a little longer than the shaft 163, for reasons hereinafterdescribed, the description of one will suffice for the description ofboth, as they operate in precisely the same manner except that towardeach other, and hence in a reverse direction. Upon the outereud of thecrank 168 is pivoted a lifter 169, which is curved upward at its outerend 169 and is provided with aslot 170. 171 indicates a fixed pinsecured to the front frame 142 and engaging the slot 170. As the crank168 rotates in the direction shown in Figs. 17 and 18, the pin 171engaging the slot 170, the operative end of the lifter describes amovement which, beginning in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig.17, is first downward and inward toward the space between the parts 142and 142 of the front frame 142, thence slightly inward upon theground-line, (indicated by the lines as :r in Figs. 17 and 18,) thencequickly upward on a curved line, and thence upon a, curved line downwardand outward to the point of beginning. The movement of the point of thelifter is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 17.

172 indicates a weeder composed of two arms 172 and 172 which arepivoted by ots 173 to two forward-projecting bars 174 on the central ortilting frame. The bars 174 are spaced a distance apart, as is bestshown, for instance, in Fig. 5, to permit the.

passage of the corn between them. As is best shown in Fig. 21, the arms172 and 172" of the weeder 172 are formed somewhat in the shape ofbell-crank levers, with the surfaces of the longer arms, which face eachother,coming to an angle 175 between the pivotal points 173 and the endsof the arms.

176 indicates spiral springs which are fastened to the short arms of theweeders 172 and 172 and to the framework and tend normally to bring theangles 175 of the weeder in contact with one another in the positionshown in Fig. 5 and in detail in Fig. 21", the longer arms of the saidweeder projecting forward and separating from one another, so as toreceive the corn between them. The lower surface of the arms 172 172 isprovided with a series of downward-projecting cross-plates 177. (Bestshown in Fig. 21.) The springs 176 are of sufficient tension to preventthe two arms from being forced apart by ordinary weeds that may comebetween them in the passage of the machine through the field, but arenot strong enough to resist the pressure of the stalks of corn, which asthe machine is driven forward cause the two arms of the weeder toseparate and permit the passage of the stalks of corn between them tothe knife above described.

The operation of the weeders will be described hereinafter in describingthe operation of the machine.

Figs. 19 and 20 show details of the teeth 167. These teeth or fingersare mounted, as was said above, upon the sprocket-chains 166 and 166 andare curved in such a way that when they are in operative position-thatis, upon the front side of the sprocket-chains 166 166 as the same arerisingthe fingers extend forward and then curve inward toward each otherand downward in order to assist I corn-binder forms no' part of mypresent invention and, as said above, may be of any well-known andapproved description, I have not shown it in the drawings, as to do sowould complicate the drawings and render less clear the parts which Ihave shown and described and which relate directly to my invention. Thelower part 179 of the binder-platform 178 is hinged, so as to be capableof being lifted upward when the bundle-dump of the bundlecarrier isoperated in the manner and for the purpose hereinafter described. Thebinder, as was said above, is operated through the medium of thebevel-gear 45, a bevel-gear 180 meshing therewith, and a shaft 181, uponwhich said bevel-gear is keyed or otherwise secured. The connection ofthe same with the binder being of any well-known form and description isnot shown here for reasons above stated. 182 indicates a bundle-carrierwhicln is also carried by the rear frame 25 to one side of thebinder-platform 178, as is best shown in Figs. 7 and 10. Thebundle-carrier consists of two segments 163 184, which are in the formof an arc in cross-section and are supported at their forward ends bybraces 185 186, which are j ournaled 011 the rear end IIO of a shaft187, which is journaled in suitable bearings in an upright 188,supported upon the rear frame 25. 207 indicates lugs which are mountedupon the outer surface of the segment 183, near its upper edge, andproject therefrom, so as to engage the hinged portion 179 of thebinder-platform 178 to lift the same when the segments are operated, ashereinafter described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 7, 10, and 15, 189 indicates a circlewhich is supported upon the longitudinal bars 26 of the rear frame25atthefrontendofthebundle-carrier. Said circle conforms to the outersurface of the are upon which the segments 183 184 curve and supportsthe segments at their forward ends,

so that they may be moved around therein. 190 indicates uprights whichare secured to the longitudinal bars 26 and whose upper portions on thesurfaces which face each other are curved, as is best shown in Fig. 16,to conform to the arc of the segments 183 184 and are grooved, as isbest shown in Fig. 16. 191 indicates flanges upon the outersurfaces ofthe segments 183 184, which movein the grooves in the curved portions ofthe surfaces 190, operating to support the rear end of the segments 183184 and to permit them to move therein. 192 indicates a shaft which issupported in bearings 193 194 on the rear frame. 195 indicates a leverkeyed upon said shaft 192. 196 indicates a segmental rack which is alsokeyed upon the shaft 192 near its in- Her end. 197 (see Fig. 5 anddotted lines in Fig. 15) indicates a cog -'pinion which is keyed uponthe forward end of the shaft 187 and meshes with the segmental rack 196.198 indicates a drum which is keyed or otherwise secured upon the shaft187 close to the braces 185 186. 199 indicates sheaves which are carriedby the circle 189 near its upper end and journaled in suitable bearings200 thereon. 201 indicates cords, one end of each of which is secured tothe segments 183 184. The cords 201, passing over the sheaves 199, passaround the drum 198 and are secured thereto. \Vhen the hand-lever 195 isrocked, rocking the shaft 192, the segmental rack operates to rotate thedrum 198 and wind the cords upon it, thus separating the segments fromone-anotherat the bottom and driving them into the position shown inFig. 15, permitting, of course, any bundles of corn which haveaccumulated therein, as hereinafter described, to drop to the ground.The segments 183 184, it will be understood, are normally in theposition shown in Fig. 7.

The master-wheel 24 is provided upon its surface with a number of logs202, which are formed of angle-iron and are set diagonally upon theperiphery of the wheel 24, upon each side thereof, so as to leave aspace between them, and, as is best shown in Figs. 3 and 7, arestaggered.

203 indicates a scraper which is carried by the rear frame 25 and isprovided with a footlever 204, by means of which the scraper may bebrought against the periphery of the master-wheel 24 in the peripheralspace between the inner ends of the lugs 202.

Referring to Fig. 2, 205 indicates a tongue mounted upon the frontportion of the rear frame 25. 206 indicates a brace which is pivotallyconnected with the forward end of the tongue 205 and with one side ofthe front frame near its front end.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 10, and 21, 208 indicates acaster-wheel which is carried by a yoke 209. The yoke 209 has at itsforward end an upright shaft 210, which passes through a sleeve 211, soas to rotate therein. The sleeve 211 is provided upon each side withlugs 212, which are jonrnaled in the rear framework 25. 213 indicates astrong spiral spring, one end of which is secured to the sleeve 211 andthe other end to a suitable cross-bar 214 in the rear frame 25. Thespring 213 tends to move the sleeve 211 backward, andth us to force. thecaster-wheel downward, and is strong enough to balance the weight of therear portion of the machine when the bundles of corn are deliveredthereto and carried thereby, as hereinafter described, and to keep thecaster-wheel 208 in constant elastic bearing upon the ground, no matterupon what inequalities of ground the other wheels may drop, affording aconstant but appropriately elastic bearing andv support for the rearportion of the machine.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The machine is drivenforward along the rows of corn with the two portions of the front framestraddling the rows of corn. The forward portions of the front framebeing separated from one another and coming toa point, as abovedescribed, and then sloping back inward toward each other will operate,by the assistance of the guide-boards 158 158, to lift into anapproximately vertical position any stalks of corn which may have fallenout at right angles or approximately right angles with the line ofdraft. The lifters 169, being so driven as to operate rapidlythat is,giving several movements between the hills and moving in the directionabove describedwill pass under any stalks of corn which are thrown downupon the ground in line or approximately'in line with the draft of themachine, and operating across or at right angles with the line of draftof the machine will lift the stalks of down corn which are lying eitherforward or backward in a line in the direction or slightly to one sideof the line of draft, thus lifting all stalks of corn which have notbeen lifted by the operation ,of the forward end of the machine, asabove described. The stalks of corn being thusraised from the ground asthe machine is driven forward, the teeth 167 on the front portion of thesprocketchains 166 166 engage with the stalks of corn andllift themstill farther. The curved shape of the teeth, curving forward, theninward and downward, as above described, will engage the stalks of corn,lifting them as the ICC) machine is driven forward to a verticalposition, but will allow any one tooth if it strikes an ear of corn toslip off and not break the ear from the stalk or the stalk of corn, thestalk being of course prevented from falling by the immediate engagementof the next tooth. The stalks of corn thus lifted, as the machine isdriven forward, to a vertical position pass between the sprocket-chains166 166 and between the two forward portions of the machine backward tothe weeder. As was said above, the two parts of the weeder 172 separateto permit the passage of the stalks of corn between them, but remainclosed as against any weeds. The weeds thus by the angular separation ofthe two parts of the weeder are thrown downward and by the assistance ofthe downward-projecting plates on the under sides of the weeder areturned backward and under, so that they will not reach the knife. Thestalks of corn then coming-to the knife 120, which is rotated rapidly,as above described, are severed, the distance of the point of severancefrom the ground being regulated by the central or tilting frame in themanner above described. The lower end of the cone 63, being immediatelyback of and under the plate 121, as the machine is driven forward thebutts of the cornstalks, delivered thus to a vertical position,rest uponthe cone 63 and are carried back-.

ward by the operation of the spiral flange 64- between the guides 69.The reels or heaters 77, rotating in the direction above described, bearupon the upper ends of the stalks of corn, carrying them backward andtending to keep the stalks of corn approximatelyin a vertical positionas they travel upward on the surface of the cone 63 and backward towardthe binder. As the lower ends of the stalks of corn thus carried upwardand backward pass from the cone they are immediately delivered to thebeater 87, which, bearing upon the butts of the stalks, carries thembackward, the last of the series of reels or beaters carrying the upperends backward. The boaters are so arranged that as the corn approachesthe rear end of the machine the tops of the stalks are carried backwardsomewhat more rapidly than the butts or lower ends of the stalks, sothat when the last of the reels or heaters 77 operates upon the stalksthey are thrown backward into the binder, into which they fall in ahorizontal position, the butter operating to assist the delivery of thestalks of corn in a horizontal position in the beater, with the buttsforward and the tops of the stalks backward. Upon being bound in bundlesby any suitable hinder the bundles roll down the binder-support 178 intothe bundlecarrier 182, where they are retained until a sufficient numberhave accumulated. \Vhen a sufficient number of bundles have beenreceived in the bundle-carrier, the bundle-carrier is operated, as abovedescribed, to discharge the contained bundles at a required ism forrotating said crank, substantially speed, and the lugs 207, coming incontact, as above described, with the outer end of the hinged portion179 of the binder-platform 178, raise the said hinged portion andprevent any bundles bound by the binder in the meantime from comingforward and retain the same until the bundle-carrier is again closed fortheir reception.

' I have shown the devices for engaging the but-ts of the stalks of cornand carrying them upward and backward as consisting of a cone with aspiral flange. Some other form of carrier might be used, however, toeffect the same purpose, and I therefore do not confine myself to theuse of such cone with spiral flange, except as specifically claimed.

That which I regard as my invention, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is

1. In a corn harvester, the combination with a frame having alongitudinal opening therein adapted to straddle a row of corn,'oflevers pivoted to said frame upon each side of said opening and pointingcrosswise of the line of draft, and mechanism adapted to give to theinner and operative end of said levers a downward and inward movementcrosswise of the line of draft, then a relatively rapid upward movement,then a movement downward and outward to the point of beginning,substantially as described.

2. In a corn -harvester, the combination with a frame having'alongitudinal opening therein adapted to straddle a row of corn, of aforwardly-projecting pin fixed to said frame, a lever provided with alongitudinal slot intermediate its ends adapted to engage said pin andsupport said lever with its inner and operative end pointing crosswiseof said longitudinal opening and crosswise of the line of draft, a crankhaving its wrist-pin pivoted to the other end of said lever, andmechandescribed. I

3. In a corn-harvester, the combination with a frame having alongitudinal opening therein adapted to straddle a row of corn, offorwardly projecting pins fixed upon said frame upon each side of saidopening, levers provided each with a longitudinal slot intermediate itsends adapted to engage said pins and support said levers with theirinner and operative ends pointed crosswise of said opening in saidframe'and crosswise of the line of draft, cranks having their wrist-pinspivoted to the other ends of said levers, and mechanism for rotatingsaid cranks, substantially as described.

4. In a corn -harvester, the combination with asprocket-chain havingfingers adapted when said chain is moved to engage partiallylifted cornand lift the same to a substantially upright position and mechanism fordriving said sprocket-chain, of a lever adapted when operated to engagedown corn lying along the line of draft and lift the same intoengagement with said sprocket-chain, and means for giving the operativeend of said lever a movement across the line of draft and upward,substantially as described.

5. In a corn harvester, the combination with a sprocket-chain havingfingers adapted when said chain is moved to engage partiallylifted downcorn and lift the same to a substantially upright position and mechanismfor driving said sprocket-chain, of a lever operating substantially atright angles to the line of draft and adapted when operated to engagedown corn lying along the line of draft and lift the same intoengagement with said sprocket-chain, and means for giving the operativeend of said lever a movement across the line of draft and upward.

6. In a corn harvester, the combination with a pair of sprocket-chainsadapted to straddle a row of corn and provided with fingers adapted whensaid chains are moved to engage partially-lit ted corn and raise thesame to a substantially vertical position, of a pair of levers operatingcrosswise of the draft and adapted to engage down corn lying forward orbackward along the line of draft and lift the same into engagement withthe said sprocket-chains, and mechanism for giving the operative end ofsaid levers a movement across the line of draft and upward,substantially as described.

7. In a corn-harvesting machine, the combination with a frame providedwith a longitudinal opening adapted to straddle a row of corn, a pair ofsprocket-chains carried by said frame, one upon each side of saidopening, adapted to straddlea row of corn and provided with fingersadapted as said machine is driven forward to engage partially-liftedcorn and lift it to a vertical position, and means for moving saidsprocket-chains, of movable arms operating crosswise of said opening insaid frame, in advance of said sprocket-chains, and adapted by theirmovement to engage down corn lying either forward or backward along theline of draft and to lift the same into engagement with saidsprocket-chains, and means for operating said arms, substantially asdescribed.

8. In a corn-harvesting machine, the combination with a frame providedwith a longitudinal opening adapted to straddle a row of corn, a pair ofsprocketchains carried by said frame, one upon each side of saidopening, adapted to straddle a row of corn and provided with fingersadapted as said machine is driven forward to engage partiallylifted cornand lift it to a vertical position, and means for moving saidsprocket-chains, of levers pivotally mounted upon each side of thelongitudinal opening in said frame, in advance of said sprocket-chainsand pointing substantially at right angles with the line of draft, andmechanism adapted to give to the operative ends of said levers adownward and inward movement crosswise of the line of draft, and thenceupward, substantially as described.

9. In a corn-harvesting machine, the combination with lifting mechanismfor down corn, consisting of a lever pivotally mounted near the frontend of the machine and pointing substantially at right angles with theline of draft, .mechanism adapted to give to the operative end of saidlever a downward and inward movement across the line of draft, andthence upward, a pair of sprocket-chains located behind said liftingmechanism adapted to straddle a row of corn and provided with fingersadapted as said machine is driven forward, to engage the corn whenpartially lifted by said lifters and lift said corn to a verticalposition as it passes between said sprocketchains, and means for movingsaid sprocketchaius, substantially as described.

10. In a corn-harvesting machine, the combination with a frame providedwith a longitudinal opening through which standing corn may pass, oflifters for down corn, consisting of levers pivotally mounted near thefront of said frame at each side of said opening and pointing towardeach other substantially at right angles with the line of draft,mechanism adapted to give to ,the operative ends of said levers,alternately, a downward and inward movement toward each other acrosssaid opening, and then upward, a pair of sprocketchains on each side ofsaid opening located behind said lifting mechanism and adapted tostraddle a row of corn and provided with fingers adapted, as saidmachine is driven forward, to engage the corn when partially lifted bysaid lifting devices and to lift said corn to a vertical position as itpasses between said sprocket-chains, and means for moving saidsprocket-chains, substantially as described.

11. In a corn-harvesting machine, the combination with devices adaptedto lift down corn toward a vertical position, of a pair ofsprocket-chains adapted to straddle a row of corn and-provided withcurved fingers, which, when in their operative position, curve firstinward, then downward and inward, adapted, as said machine is drivenforward, to engage the corn when partially lifted by said liftingdevices and to lift said corn to a vertical position as it passesbetween said sprocketchains, and means for moving said sprocketchains,substantially as described.

12. In a corn-harvesting machine, the combination with a knife adaptedto sever stalks of standing corn, of a rotating cone provided with aspiral flange adapted, when said cone is rotated, to move the butts ofthe corn backward in the machine, means for rotating said cone, aplurality of reels adapted in their rotation to successively engage thestalks of corn at some distance above the butts and to cooperate withsaid cone in carrying the stalks of corn back in a substantiallyvertical position, and mechanism for rotating said reels, substantiallyas described.

13. In a corn-harvesting machine, the combination with an axle,carrier-wheels mounted thereon, and a rear frame journaled on said axleand adapted to carry corn-binding and bundle carrying and droppingmechanism, of a central tilting frame adapted to carry corn-harvestingmechanism and journaled on said axle, springs connecting the rear partof said central frame to said rear frame and tending to balance saidcentral frame on said axle, and mechanism adapted to tilt said centralframe upon said axle and secure it in any desired position thereon,substantially as described.

14:. In a corn-harvesting machine, the combination with a rear frameadapted to carry corn-binding and bundle carrying and droppingmechanism, and a central or tilting frame adapted to carry corn cuttingand forwarding mechanism, of a front frame adapted to carry corn-liftingmechanism and slidingly mounted on said central frame, and means forraising and lowering said front frame on said central frame,substantially as described.

15. In a corn-harvesting machine, a weeder, consisting of two armspivotally mounted near the front of said machine and separated from oneanother at their forward ends and provided with downward-projectingplates extending across the under side of said arms, and springs adaptedto yieldingly hold said arms together at a point back of their forwardends, substantially as described.

16. In a corn-harvesting machine, the combination with an axle,wheelsmounted on said axle, and a rear frame journaled on said axle andadapted to contain corn-binding and corn carrying and dumping mechanism,of a casterwheel pivoted on said rear frame and having a movement on itspivotal points in a horizontal and in a vertical arc, and a springconnected with said caster-wheel and said rear frame, substantially asdescribed.

17. In a corn-harvesting machine, the combination with abinder-platform, consisting of a fixed and a hinged portion, offramework, two segments mounted in said framework and adapted to swingabout a central longitudinal axis and, when closed together at theirlower ends, to receive bundles of corn from abinder, mechanism adaptedto swing said segments apart from one another at their lower edges anddrop contained bundles of corn, one of said segments being adapted, whenso swung, to engage the hinged portion of said binderplatform and liftthe same into a substantially vertical position, substantially asdescribed.

JAMES E. WOOD. WVitnesses; O. E. PICKARD,

OHAs. J. HARMON.

